-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Former Vice President Al Gore endorsed Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama on Monday , urging Americans to reject what he called the Bush administration 's legacy of `` incompetence , negligence and failure . ''

In Detroit on Monday , Al Gore endorsed Sen. Barack Obama for president .

`` Americans simply can not afford to continue the policies of the last eight years for another four , '' Gore , the party 's 2000 presidential nominee , told Obama supporters at a rally in Detroit , Michigan .

Perceived as a senior statesman in the Democratic party , Gore brings a certain force to Obama 's campaign , political analysts have said .

Monday marked Gore 's debut in the 2008 election ; he had not weighed in while Obama was still battling Sen. Hillary Clinton .

Amid thousands of cheering supporters , Gore began by addressing head-on the criticism that Obama does n't have enough experience to lead the nation .

The former vice president turned Nobel Prize winner playfully said he recalled one Republican nominee wondering out loud whether his Democratic rival for president was `` naive and inexperienced . ''

`` And yet another said the United States can not afford to risk the future of the free world with inexperience and immaturity in the White House , '' said Gore . `` Who were they talking about ? Every single one of those quotes came from the campaign of 1960 , when the the Republicans attacked John Fitzgerald Kennedy for allegedly lacking the age and experience necessary to be president . ''

Richard Nixon was the Republican nominee in 1960 .

Joining Obama in the midst of the candidate 's two week swing through the nation to talk about his plans to revitalize the economy , Gore praised Obama as someone who could mobilize people , young and old , who had never before taken part in politics . Gore went on to praise the nominee 's vision on the environment , domestic and international issues .

Saying he will do whatever he can to support Obama 's bid for the White House , Gore said Obama has `` inspired '' him . `` I feel that same spirit in this auditorium tonight , building all over this country this year , '' he said . `` Take it from me , elections matter , '' Gore said .

`` If you think the next appointments to our Supreme Court are important , you know that elections matter . If you live in the city of New Orleans , you know that elections matter . If you or a member of your family are serving in the active military , the National Guard or Reserves , you know that elections matter .

`` If you are a wounded veteran , you know that elections matter . If you 've lost your job ; if you 're struggling with a mortgage , you know that elections matter . '' Watch Gore say Americans must let Washington know that they want a change ''

Gore cited concerns about the environment , lead-painted toys and food safety -- even pet foods -- as other reasons to vote for the Democrat .

`` After the last eight years , even our dogs and cats have learned that elections matter , '' Gore said , adding , `` After eight years of lost jobs and lower wages , we need change . After eight years of incompetence , negligence and failure , we need change . ''

Gore said the Bush administration has `` dishonored and disrespected '' the Constitution and led the nation through `` eight years of the most serious foreign policy mistakes in the entire history of our nation . ''

The Tennessean newspaper noted Obama was among the few senators in either party who argued against the U.S.-led occupation of Iraq prior to the invasion Gore called a `` blunder . ''

He called for Americans to move beyond partisanship and select in Obama a leader who can `` solve the climate crisis and create a bright future . ''

GOP spokesman Alex Conant reacted to Gore 's criticism of President Bush . `` This election is n't about changing the past , it 's about changing the future , '' he told The Associated Press on Monday evening .

Calling attention to the fact that Gore 's 2000 running mate , Sen. Joe Lieberman , has since left the Democratic Party to become an independent and is backing Sen. John McCain , he said , `` It 's telling that half of the 2000 Democratic ticket endorsed John McCain early in the campaign , while the other half waited until Barack Obama had been the presumptive nominee for weeks . ''

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In front of thousands of cheering supporters , Gore made his '08 election debut

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Gore : America can not withstand another four years like the previous eight

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The Nobel Prize winner drew a connection between JFK and Obama

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Gore 's support carries significant weight , analysts say